The best gaming keyboard

We take a look at the best planks you can get.

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The right gaming keyboard ultimately comes down to the right feel while you’re playing. Membrane switches are familiar but often spongy. Mechanical keyboards offer key switches that are responsive when typing or moving in a game and feel good to push down. That feel is important, because the keyboard is the peripheral you’ll spend the most time with at your PC, and it has to feel right.

The gaming keyboard market has undergone some major changes. Some companies have made their products increasingly sophisticated, while others are going back to their roots. We’ve also seen the rise of proprietary switches from a few companies. With all these new releases, it’s time to update our best gaming keyboard section.

Best high-end gaming keyboard

All of the macros

RGB lighting

Handy media controls

Build quality that's made to last

Crazy expensive

No USB passthough

The Corsair Vengeance K95 RGB is the updated version of the aging Vengeance K95. Being numero-uno in Corsair’s gaming keyboard lineup, the Vengeance K95 RGB has all the uber-end features that competitive gamers need. A set of 18 programmable macros rests on the left side, more than enough for even the most demanding MMO gamers. Macro programming also isn’t restricted to just the macro keys; every key on the K95 is programmable as well. To top it off, there are four profiles that can be stored directly in the onboard memory. It also comes with a full set of media control buttons and a superb detachable wrist rest.

Although we like the Vengeance K95 RGB outfitted with the tactile Cherry MX Brown switch, it also comes in Cherry MX Reds if you prefer a straight, bump-less travel. The switches use Cherry’s new transparent switch housings and surface mount LEDs to up the light show.

The Corsair Vengeance K95 RGB has an anodized aluminum front plate that exposes its switches. When turned on, the dazzling lights spill over the edges. A vast library of effects can be applied through the Corsair Utility engine.

The keycaps on the K95 RGB are still made from ABS plastic. They’re grippy and feel alright. There’s a separate set of textured keycaps for the WASD keys included in the box.

With almost everything covered, the only key feature missing on the K95 RGB is USB pass-through. This is a bit irritating since the K95 RGB needs two USB ports to function.

The Corsair K95 RGB pushes the ceiling of what a gaming keyboard can be—including the price tag. If its high asking price is too much to bear, then you can also opt for the older, non-RGB version for a significant discount.

Best overall gaming keyboard

After careful consideration, we’re moving the Razer BlackWidow Chroma into the best overall gaming keyboard section due to its compelling set of features.

Compared to our previous champion, the Logitech G610 Orion, the Razer BlackWidow Chroma has the absolute edge in feature count. It’s decked out with a dedicated macro column, USB passthroughs, RGB lighting, and a metal face plate. The only spot it misses is dedicated media controls—a feature we miss dearly from the Logitech G610 Orion.

Many keyboard enthusiasts would scoff at the mention of Razer’s gaming switches. For the skeptics in the room: I urge you to try them out. While I do feel the Razer switches are indeed a hair chalkier compared to Cherry MX, the difference is so slight that most of us won’t notice during gaming.

Before you pick one up, know that Razer’s switch inventory currently does not have a switch type with linear travel. The Razer Orange and Green switch are modeled after the Kailh Brown and Blue respectively, both of which are tactile switches with a bump. They provide excellent feedback but also introduce hysteresis. Linear switches, such as the Kailh Black and Cherry MX Black, do not have this problem.

Nowadays, more and more emphasis is being placed on visual appeal. To set itself apart from the rest of the pack, Razer not only implements RGB lighting on its BlackWidow Chroma, but also offers special editions with gorgeous game-specific paint jobs. Depending on the popularity of the titles, they can sometimes be found for cheaper than the base model. That’s not to deduct any points from the base model; the sophisticated design of the Razer BlackWidow is sexy even without a fancy coat of paint.

After sniffing around in Amazon.com, we found $135 to be the best deal for the Razer BlackWidow Chroma. We understand that the price jump from the $90 Logitech G610 Orion can be hard to swallow, but we also feel like many gamers would appreciate the convenience provided by a more complete feature set.

Best budget gaming keyboard

Extremely affordable for a gaming keyboard

Decent build quality

Has backlit keys

Full numpad

Flimsy and slippery keycaps

The Thermaltake Poseidon Z has been around for nearly two years, but its tremendous value still firmly seats it as one of the most popular mechanical keyboards on the market. At the time of writing, you can easily pick one up for around $65.

Those who crunch numbers will definitely appreciate the inclusion of the number pad. At a budget price, this is a huge bonus compared to many of the other tenkeyless (TKL) options in this price category. It also comes with blue backlighting, a feature that’s often lost in the pursuit of lowering the cost.

Thermaltake’s decision of going with Kailh switches instead of Cherry MX which may upset some die-hard Cherry fans. Kailh switches are often perceived as inferior in quality when compared to Cherry MX switches. In reality, you’d be hard put to tell the difference between Cherry and Kailh, even if you are a veteran.

The Thermaltake Poseidon Z comes in either Kailh Blue or Brown flavors. What you choose is up to you. Blues have fantastic feedback for typing but have a loud click, Browns offer slightly less tactility but are much quieter.

There are no ornate designs with the Poseidon Z: It’s cased in a plain but durable plastic chassis. While its shell feels solid, there’s an unsightly red logo sprayed above the number pad. The Thermaltake logo has also been etched into the center of the spacebar, but we’re willing to overlook these small details considering its price

The Das Keyboard 4 Professional is replacing the Ducky Shine 5 as the best plank for typing enthusiasts this round.

The Das earned our pick for the same reasons as our best overall gaming keyboard: features and functionality. While the Ducky Shine 5 contests with a detachable cable, RGB lighting, dedicated volume keys, and a DIP switch that changes the location of the FN key, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional’s over-sized volume knob, dedicated playback controls, and dual USB pass-throughs are much more practical. To top it off, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional has a thick alloy faceplate, beating out the plastic-covered Ducky Shine 6.

But you won’t notice the Das’ features first because you’ll be captivated by its stylish design. Its rugged appearance and chiseled lines are reminiscent of Brad Pitt on date night. The bravest of typists may also want to grab the Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate—the variant equipped with blank keycaps.

It’s typical to see Cherry MX switches installed in high-end boards such as the Das Keyboard 4 Professional. Because this is a keyboard designed for typists first, it’s only offered in Cherry MX Brown and Cherry MX Blue. While we have the version with the silent and tactile Cherry MX Brown switches, you can opt for the version with the clicky Cherry MX Blue if you prefer a heavier feel and a more pronounced feedback.

The Das Keyboard 4 Professional easily earned our love during its stay on our desk. Its volume knob felt more natural to use than the buttons on the Ducky Shine 5. The USB pass-throughs saved us some back-bending when we had to plug in USB keys and controllers. The front faceplate extends beyond the base, giving our hands a leverage point when we had to lift and readjust the keyboard. All these small features added to the overall usability.

With that said, the board definitely has some kinks. Instead of flip-up elevator feet, The Das Keyboard 4 Professional uses a magnetic foot bar to prop itself up. It’s a unique (and fun) mechanism, but it provides almost no traction to help keep the keyboard still. Lacking backlight and macros can turn off some gamers, but this may not be as important to typists.

Rounding everything up, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional is an excellent plank that will easily last you for years. Currently, it can be had for just $8 more than the Ducky Shine 5—a small premium that’s worth its weight in gold.

How we test gaming keyboards and others we tested

To make it on to our list, the keyboard has to have a balance of three things: performance, build quality, and features that make sense for what it’s designed to do.

When a keyboard arrives at our office, we first dig up some info on the make and switches to get a general idea of its quality. We then hammer our planks with words and gaming for days on end, often at the hands of multiple people to gather feedback from different perspectives. If it warrants, we’ll even tear the board apart and scrutinize its guts under a magnifying glass.

Judging features is much more finicky. What we think is important may not be important to you. But we always have you, the gamer, in mind when we review a product. Do these features really make a difference? Or are they just here as an artsy excuse to jack up the price? That’s what we try to answer.

Lastly, we always try to choose keyboards with more than one switch type available. The Novatouch was a special case because standard desktop membrane keyboards generally have little variation between one another.

Some games we use to test are: Starcraft 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Battlefield 4, and Witcher 3.

Competitors

We put our hands on a whole bunch of gaming keyboards in the process of testing for this article. Some of the others we tested are worth a mention, even if they didn't make a top spot on our list. After all, keyboards are highly personal devices; what works for one person may not work for another.

Logitech G610 Orion

Our previous pick for best overall gaming keyboard, the G610 Orion offers a solid core feature set to satisfy a majority of gamers. It doesn't come with many bells and whistles (and its plain, rugged design would blend right in with an office cubicle), but it's a respectable board with a very appealing price tag.

Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum

The G810 Orion Spectrum is the big daddy version of the G610 Orion equipped with Logitech’s proprietary Romer-G switches. While its performance is top-notch, it’s a hit or miss for most people since the G810 offers rather shallow key travel.

Ducky Shine 5

Our previous pick for the best keyboard for typing enthusiasts, the Ducky Shine 5 is designed to be the ultimate desk companion. It features a detachable USB cord, switches to change the location of the FN key, and dual-injected ABS keycaps. But while the Shine 5's build quality is superb, we wish that the front plate were made of actual metal instead of plastic with a brushed-metal texture.

Roccat Ryos MK FX

The ROCCAT Ryos MK FX improves on the ROCCAT Ryos MK Pro by featuring a delicious set of RGB lighting using Cherry’s transparent switch housing and surface mount LEDs. But why leave out the USB pass-throughs?

Tesoro Excalibur V2

The Tesoro Excalibur V2 is a formidable contender to the Thermaltake Poseidon Z. Squeezing itself into the slither of space between budget and midrange, the Excalibur V2 brings dual-injected keycaps into an unprecedented price range. The industrious typeface and blocky keycaps produce a more modernized look compared to the dated Thermaltake Poseidon Z. Unfortunately, its $90 price tag puts it in the same price bracket as the Logitech G610 Orion which, in our opinion, is a superior option.

Roccat Isku FX

The Isku FX has dedicated macros, good membrane switches, and backlighting all for under $90. It would’ve been a promising contender for the best membrane keyboard seat if it weren’t for its rampant ghosting issues.

Razer DeathStalker

The Razer DeathStalker uses a larger, more stable switch housing with its traditional membrane switches. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get used to its flat and slippery chiclet keys.

Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid

Compact, affordable, and high-quality, the Cooler Master QuickFire Rapid used to be the reigning champion in budget mechanical keyboards. This time around though, we think there’s more value to be had in the Thermaltake Poseidon Z with its number pad and backlighting.

Future testing

There are tons of keyboards we still haven’t reviewed but love to get our hands on. Here’s are a few on the top of our list:

SteelSeries Apex M800

Max Keyboard Nighthawk

Topre Realforce (both TKL and full-sized variants)

Filco Majestouch 2

HHKB Pro 2

Rosewill RK-9000V2

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